Proposal Initiation Form

INSTITUTIONAL STATUTES

ARTICLE IV. THE UNIVERSITY SENATE

Section 1. The University Senate is endowed with all the legislative powers and authority of the University Faculty and shall be the policy-making assembly at the Institution.

Section 2. The University Senate shall have the responsibility for establishing committees, including any committees required to remain in compliance with policies of the Board of Regents, federal or state law, and accreditation or certification organizations that are needed for orderly and efficient governance.

Section 3. The University Senate shall not adopt any regulations affecting curricula, or the internal affairs of an academic unit except insofar as such action may be necessary to protect the interests of the Institution as a whole, but it may make recommendations to the faculty of an academic unit concerning matters within their jurisdiction.

Section 4. The University President shall have fifteen (15) calendar days to decide whether to accept or veto an action taken by the University Senate. Should the President veto the action(s), the President shall provide the University Senate a written statement of the reason(s) for the veto. The University Senate shall have the right to (a) accept the veto; (b) confer with the President to construct a compromise action; or (c) reject the veto requesting that the President reconsider. The decision of which action to take must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the voting membership of the University Senate. If the University Senate or University President refuses to recede, and if agreement cannot be reached, the matter shall be referred to the Board of Regents through the Chancellor for review pursuant to the pertinent policies of the Board of Regents.

UNIVERSITY SENATE BYLAWS

Article IV. Committee Organization

IV.Section 1. The regular operations of the University Senate shall follow a committee review procedure. The University Senate by a two-thirds majority vote may suspend committee review of a specific matter and act as a committee of the whole. In all other cases, the Senate shall submit all matters of substance for study, recommendations, and/or action by a committee prior to definitive action being taken by the University Senate. Standing committee business may be initiated by any member of the committee, by the Executive Committee of the University Senate, by the President, or by a written request to the Executive Committee signed by at least three Senators.

To initiate a proposal, provide the following information to the Executive Committee of The University Senate:

Name of person filling out this form (required)
Phone of person submitting this form (required)
E-mail of person submitting this form (required)
Subject matter reference (brief title) (required)
Issue that affects: (required) general educational policy of the University, the well-being of the University, the discipline of students, or all other student activities and affairs
Proposal to be considered: (required)
In accordance with the By-Laws, list the names and emails of three senators that support this proposal and electronically sign (by placement of their emails) this proposal. (required)	Senator's Name Email
Recognizing that under the new governance structure the Executive Committee assigns proposal to committee, do you have an opinion on which of the standing committee(s) <see descriptions of committee purviews below> might have the responsibility of considering and making policy recommendations regarding this proposal? If so, indicate your opinion by checking boxes to the right. (optional)	Academic Policy Committee (APC) Curriculum and Assessment Policy (CAPC) Faculty Affairs Policy Committee (FAPC) Student Affairs Policy Committee (SAPC) Resources, Planning, and Institutional Policy (RPIPC)
Other relevant information (if any) (optional)

V.Section2.C. Standing Committees. These committees shall have the following three functions (a) develop recommendations for new policy, (b) develop recommendations that revise existing policy, and (c) serve in advisory role, each applied in a manner consistent with the purposes and powers of the University Senate expressed in Article I. The inclusion of an appropriate vice president or designee is to improve committee effectiveness through communication and coordination with an appropriate administrator who has authority and responsibility for policy implementation in the general area addressed by the committee.

V.Section2.C.1. Academic Policy Committee

V.Section2.C.1.a. The Academic Policy Committee shall have thirteen (13) members distributed as follows: eleven (11) members selected from the Corps of Instruction faculty, at least seven (7) of which are elected faculty senators, one (1) member that is the Vice President of Academic Affairs or an individual appointed by the Vice President of Academic Affairs to serve as his/her designee, and one (1) member appointed by the University President.

V.Section2.C.1.b. The Academic Policy Committee shall be concerned with policy relating to undergraduate and graduate education matters that have broad impact or implication to the university as a whole, which includes, but is not limited to, policies relating to grading, scholastic probation and honors, academic appeals, academic standing, standards for admission, academic calendar, academic ceremonies, intellectual property, human subjects and research. This committee also provides advice, as appropriate, on academic procedural matters at the institution.

V.Section2.C.2. Curriculum and Assessment Policy Committee

V.Section2.C.2.a. The Curriculum and Assessment Policy Committee shall have thirteen (13) members distributed as follows: eleven (11) members selected from the Corps of Instruction faculty, at least seven (7) of which are elected faculty senators, one (1) member that is the Vice President of Academic Affairs or an individual appointed by the Vice President of Academic Affairs to serve as his/her designee, and one (1) member appointed by the University President.

V.Section2.C.2.b. The Curriculum and Assessment Policy Committee shall be concerned with policy relating to curriculum and academic assessment, which includes, but is not limited to, policies relating to general university degree requirements (e.g. General Education Curriculum, Foreign Language requirement, Wellness requirement), academic program assessment, and continuing education and non-degree programs. In addition to its policy recommending function, this committee shall be responsible for reviewing and approving proposals to create or deactivate certificates, concentrations, degree programs, and minors, as well as the periodic review of general education requirements and learning outcomes. This committee also provides advice, as appropriate, on procedural matters relating to curriculum and academic assessment.

V.Section2.C.3. Faculty Affairs Policy Committee

V.Section2.C.3.a. The Faculty Affairs Policy Committee shall have thirteen (13) members distributed as follows: eleven (11) members selected from the Corps of Instruction faculty, at least seven (7) of which are elected faculty senators, one (1) member that is the Vice President of Academic Affairs or an individual appointed by the Vice President of Academic Affairs to serve as his/her designee, and one (1) member appointed by the University President.

V.Section2.C.3.b. The Faculty Affairs Policy Committee shall be concerned with policy relating to faculty welfare (e.g. authorities, responsibilities, rights, recognitions, privileges, and opportunities), which includes, but is not limited to, policies relating to academic freedom, workload, compensation, recruitment, retention, promotion, tenure, recognitions, development, and instructional support. This committee also provides advice, as appropriate, on procedural matters that affect the welfare of the faculty.

V.Section2.C.4. Student Affairs Policy Committee

V.Section2.C.4.a. The Student Affairs Policy Committee shall have thirteen (13) members distributed as follows: six (6) members selected from the Corps of Instruction faculty, at least four (4) of which are elected faculty senators, two (2) members that are students serving on the University Senate, one (1) member that is an elected staff senator, one (1) member that is the Vice President of Student Affairs or an individual appointed by the Vice President of Student Affairs to serve as his/her designee, one (1) member that is a staff member nominated by Staff Council, one (1) member that is a student nominated by the Student Government Association, and one (1) member appointed by the University President.

V.Section2.C.4.b. The Student Affairs Policy Committee shall be concerned with policy relating to the general social, cultural, and practical welfare of students, which includes, but is not limited to, policies relating to non-academic areas such as conduct and discipline, grievances and non-academic appeals, financial aid, human services for students (e.g. health center, counseling), organizations, awards, intercollegiate athletics, and other extracurricular activities (e.g. Greek life, residence life, intramurals). This committee also provides advice, as appropriate, on procedural matters that affect the general social, cultural, and practical welfare of the students

V.Section2.C.5. Resources, Planning, and Institutional Policy Committee

V.Section2.C.5.a. The Resources, Planning, and Institutional Policy Committee shall have thirteen (13) members distributed as follows: six (6) members selected from the Corps of Instruction faculty, at least four (4) of which are elected faculty senators, three (3) members that are elected staff senators, one (1) member that is the Vice President of Business and Finance or an individual appointed by the Vice President of Business and Finance to serve as his/her designee, one (1) member that is a staff member nominated by Staff Council, one (1) member that is a student nominated by the Student Government Association, and one (1) member appointed by the University President.

V.Section2.C.5.b. The Resources, Planning, and Institutional Policy Committee shall be concerned with policy relating to non-instructional personnel (including administrative personnel) and institutional budget and planning functions, which includes, but is not limited to, policies relating to recruitment, hiring, evaluation, welfare and development as well as compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines (e.g. affirmative action, ADA, homeland security), and institutional support functions of the university (e.g. technology, parking) In addition, this committee shall review and provide advice on master planning, strategic planning, and budgeting processes and provides advice, as appropriate, on other procedural matters that affect the general welfare of the institution and its employees.